Technical This mechanic is a f***** joke

[migualo]

So I brought my car to a mechanic for few things and one of the things I asked was a coolant flush and change. I got the car back today and this evening with engine cold I found out that the coolant level is about 5 cm less than the minimum level. Almost at the bottom of the coolant tank!!!

Garage is closed until Monday and need the car for a long trip tomorrow, so I need some coolant in the morning, but my question is? Can I top up with a different coolant? Shall I top up with water then? What a feckin joke...

 

[fingers99]

If you can see what the colour is, just top up with the same colour coolant, no problem. If you can't determine the colour, ASDA do a Bluecol universal one (which is transparent and guaranteed to mix with anything).

Alternatively, if you're not expecting a big freeze, just use water.

 

[Brendan W]

Presuming he did actually change the coolant a possible explanation is that the bottom hose to the rad is not on proper and is leaking. Any sign of leaks under the car?
How long was the trip home?
Without knowing what coolant he put in topping up is a lottery. Someone there must have a mobile. Generally they fall into two colours blue or orangey. If it was me and I absolutely had to use the car I would top up with 50:50 premix coolant of the same colour as in there.
Clean water is a last resort for a day or so bearing in mind that if it freezes it can pop things open and it turns the system into a battery trying to eat itself over the longer term.
What a Wally.

 

[dave]

if its that low it will probably need bleeding. also check for leaks, they may have done the job right but a leak sprung after its not un comon after a good flush.

 

[portland_bill]

Puntos can be difficult to purge all the air out. It could have looked ok when the mechanic last checked, but purged some on the way home. Search the forums for the bleed procedure, there is a bleed screw in one heater pipe and one on the radiator. Bleed hot so pressurised, but don't scald yourself.

As the weather is not freezing, topping up with water will be ok as a temp measure. Note how much you put in, try to top up to min only. Then on Monday go back and get them to add the same amount of coolant only, to maintain the 50/50 strength.

 

[Ziggy122]

Top to max and observe
Keep plenty of coolant on your long journey
Never open a rad cap with a hot engine
It needs a coolant pressure test

Ziggy

 

[migualo]

When things go wrong... they can always go worst.

This morning I followed what you said. Topped up with water, had to put almost an extra litre. I bled as the guide says and when I was closing the bad screw it just simply broke, half of the plastic screw stayed inside and half out.

Can I drive the car without this screw in? How can I fix this? It all went wrong... Feeling quite frustrated right now.

 

[fingers99]

You can probably replace it with a plain old metric bolt.

But if there's no leak, the car will be OK to drive. Just keep an eye on the level.

 

[Ziggy122]

Mine snapped it allowed gor a drive anf a good bleed but it was loosing coolant

I found that drilling a hole in the screw abd putting a self tapper in and then working all way through worked well on the radiator one

Obvs coolant and tad were removed